Quick checks for deals make wardrobe update more affordable

FROM COLLEEN SHEFFIELD: Quick Publix trip tonight: Crescent rolls were 10 for $10. Sugar cookie dough was $2.49 -- got eight rolls and four sugar cookie tubes. Total before coupons: $17.96. After coupons, $1.96! I had four $2 off three dough coupons from Publix. Four $1 off one for cookie dough, four $1 off two for crescent rolls. That’s $16 worth of coupons and each item came out to 16 cents per item! Pretty proud of myself!

Savannah

Are you looking to update your wardrobe? Need to purchase some clothing for your kids that are growing like bad weeds? You don’t have to spend a fortune to dress well. Follow these tips and help cut down the amount you spend on clothing.

Buy things that you can mix and match to create several outfits from.

Solid color pants can be mixed with prints or solids. Dress up the outfit and change the look by adding a scarf, a broach or other jewelry.

CONSIDER GENTLY USED ITEMS

• Check the “For Sale or Free” sites on Facebook in your area. Especially for little ones. I have seen adorable clothing for infants and toddlers in excellent condition for just a few dollars. Inspect the item for rips tears and stains. Be sure to meet in a public place and always send the person a private message on Facebook so you have record of the agreement. Recently, I saw a post on one of the pages that I belong to where a lady had driven to a women’s house and paid her for hamsters with counterfeit money.

• Sell your gently used clothing on the “For Sale or Free” sites to replenish your clothing fund. Be sure to follow the page rules and create an album instead of posting multiple pictures on the page. Great pictures and descriptions have a better success rate.

• Goodwill: You can find name-brand clothing at Goodwill for a fraction of the cost. Some of the items have never even been worn; they still have the tags on them. Look at the sign at the front of the store for the color of the week; they always designate a certain color tag that is half off. Be sure to look for rips, missing buttons, stains, etc.

• Consignment shops: You can bring in your gently used clothing and when the item sells, you get a portion of the sales price. These stores can be gold mines for brand name purses, shoes and clothing.

• Yard sales: You never know what treasures may lurk at yard sales.

PURCHASING NEW ITEMS

• Always check the stores Facebook page for coupons before you shop or in the store. Sometimes you can just show them the coupon on your phone.

• Sign up for the newsletters of all of your favorite stores; Goody’s sends coupons on a regular basis.

• Sign up for text-message deals. Pay attention at the register sometimes they will have a number you can text to get on their mobile coupon list. Charlotte Russe and JCPenney send coupons via text message on a regular basis.

• Shop the clearance racks; buying clothes out of season for the next year will save you money.

• If you know you are going to be shopping at a certain store, look in grocery stores for a gift card that you can purchase. At Kroger, you will get fuel points for purchasing the gift card; save on fuel and pay with your gift card.

• Pay attention to other opportunities to save. Last year Publix had this deal: If I purchased a $50 Old Navy gift card, I would get $10 off my groceries. The Old Navy card didn’t have any activation fees. Even sweeter -- Old Navy had a deal where if you spent a certain amount you received Old Navy cash to shop later.

• Always ask the cashier if they have any coupons. The worst they can say is no.

• Be sure to check the paper every day. The retail stores run sales throughout the week and often have coupons in their ads. You won’t find these same coupons at the store. The purpose of the coupon is to get you into the store.

• If you are a senior citizen, military, or a student always ask if they give any type of discount.

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